What’s blocking your Fire Exits?

Nowadays it is safe to say that the majority of employers consider the responsibility of Health and Safety high on its list of priorities. Unchecked, blocked fire exits are without a doubt an accident waiting to happen and should be taken seriously. Putting checking systems in place is an excellent idea but as we all know with most routines of this nature fall by the way side all too soon. Some premises are more vulnerable than others and are likely to have fire exits obstructed possibly by pallets, scaffolding, rubbish, vehicles, incorrectly opened roller shutters the list goes on.

Electronic security manufacturer Hoyles have not only increased their range of Exitguard fire door alarms but at the same time they have developed a clever way to ensure fire exit doors are regularly checked and available to be fully opened in the event of an emergency.

The Exitguard fire exit door alarm is a time served favourite of the security installer and has recently taken on an additional role. The new facility is called Fire Door Checker and is now a standard feature available on all of the keypad operated Exitguards.

The Fire Door Checker has the unique facility to alert staff to Open-Check-Close as soon as the building is occupied. This is done by causing each Exitguard to give out an intermittent sound whilst strobing. Only when the fire doors have been verified will the Exitguard sounder and strobe stop. This ensures the door is available for emergency use, after which it resumes its normal security monitoring role.

This could prove invaluable to management and those responsible for safety and security ensuring that staff incorporates the checking procedure of each fire exit door into the daily routine and at the same time educating against the dangers of blocked fire exits.

The Fire Door Checker works simply by a switched signal from the intruder alarm, clocking machine, a time switch or independently. If a more frequent check is required the time switch option will allow the user to introduce a tighter regime of checking suitable to their exact requirements. As well as the unique Fire Door Checker function, Hoyles Exitguard door alarm range provides a comprehensive solution for the security and prevention of misuse of fire exit doors. The different models provide options for battery, 12vdc and mains power source as well as control by either keypad or key switch.